The Cancer Public Health Genomics Knowledge Base: Tracking Progress from Discovery to Population Health Impact

Authors:

Wei Yu (Presenter)
CDC

Mindy Clyne, National Cancer Institute
Anja Wulf, CDC
W Dotson, CDC
Ridgely Green, CDC
Marta Gwinn, CDC
Scott Bowen, CDC
Katherine Kolor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Muin Khoury, CDC

Public Health Statement: Cancer genomics has outpaced other chronic disease translational research areas, in large part due to the discoveries in both germline and tumor genetics. However, a gap remains between basic cancer genomic research and the resulting health benefits from genomic-based tests and interventions. We expect to see an increase in the translational research area, due in part to the strong emphasis of implementation science in the Cancer Moonshot^SM Blue Ribbon Panel’s recommendations and the cancer-related activities within the ‘All of Us’ Research Program, which is the one million plus volunteer cohort of the Precision Medicine Initiative.

Purpose: Track the progress of cancer genomics research, especially translational research and implementation science.

Methods/Approach: the Office of Public Health Genomics launched the Cancer Public Health Genomics Knowledge Base (Cancer PHGKB), a continuously updated, searchable database of published scientific literature, CDC and NCI resources, and other materials that address the translation of genomic discoveries into improved health care and cancer prevention.

Results: Through a curated process in the weekly horizon scan, the Cancer PHGKB will present the most updated cancer-related information, including published scientific literature on translational research and implementation science, clinical guidelines, genomic applications with CDC tiered classification, and state implementation activities. Cancer PHGKB displays information on the 12 most common types of cancers for quick links to the categorized information, with a search function for retrieval of information on any other cancers.

Conclusions/Implications: Cancer PHGKB is a useful resource to researchers, policy makers, practitioners, and the general public interested in understanding how genomic research can contribute to prevention and control of cancer.